the rachel maddow show starts right now. >> thanks. there is a lot to get to this hour, including news about potential gun law reforms and the continuing reaction to the newtown, connecticut, school massacre there. is some surprising news out of michigan on that issue today that we're going to be getting to. there is news about who is going to be in the united states senate in this next congress. we found out yesterday who is being tapped to replace senator jim demint, who is leaving the senate. we also found out yesterday who might replace john kerry if he leaves the senate to be secretary of state. we found out today who is the odds-on favorite to replace long-time hawaii senator daniel inouye, who died yesterday. we've got all that news ahead. >>> but we begin tonight with something that is an important story in its own terms. but for those of us at msnbc and nbc news, it is also an incredibly emotional thing. and i can tell you, it ends with good news. it ends with this news, which i can say personally was greeted by all of us as t